17:40 Royal Ascot

Thursday 20 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 2m 4.32s

(9)

Al Musmak³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 108| C

10/1

Chased home Rosallion in 7f course listed race last July before going one better in similar company at Haydock in September. Advanced his form again when runner-up in Royal Lodge at Newmarket on final 2-y-o start but ran no sort of race on return in the Dante last month. Must bounce back.

Form: 1212-7

(2)

Bellum Justum¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104| D

10/1

Sea The Stars colt who got off the mark at the fourth attempt in 17-runner Newmarket maiden last autumn and followed up in a 1¼m Epsom listed race on his reappearance. Probably just wasn't good enough upped in grade when mid-field in the Derby and this much more suitable.

Form: 5241-17

(1)

Bracken's Laugh⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: R Hughes| OR: 108

17/2

Created a good impression in both runs at 2 yrs (fifth in French Group 1 latterly) and showed a good turn of foot to make a winning return at Chelmsford in April. Probably improved again when second to Capulet in listed Dee Stakes at Chester (10.3f, good) 6 weeks ago so he's not out of things.

Form: 15-12

(10)

Caviar Heights³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| D

10/1

Built on his promising reappearance/stable debut in the 9f Feilden at Newmarket when a ready 4-length winner of a 1¼m listed race back there at the Guineas meeting. Not in same form when down the field in the Dante at York 5 weeks ago but can get back on track.

Form: 219-316

(3)

First Look¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: A Fabre| OR: 116

17/2

Smart performer who opened his account in minor event at Chantilly in November and has been placed all other starts, including when 2 lengths second of 15 to Look de Vega in Prix du Jockey Club at same track (10.4f, soft) earlier this month. Stacks to like in this company.

Form: 21-322

(12)

Jayarebe⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: B J Meehan| OR: 108| BF

7/1

Tasted success on debut at Newmarket (July course, 7f) last summer and took a marked step forward when winning listed race at same track (Rowley course, 9f) in April. Found it harder under a penalty when third in listed Dee Stakes at Chester (10.3f, good) 6 weeks ago but should stay this far.

Form: 17-13

(7)

King's Gambit³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 107| D

2/1

Won a 1m Newbury maiden last August and took another step forward when only narrowly denied by Bracken's Laugh a month later. Made a mark of 93 look woefully inadequate on return at that same venue last month and rates an exciting prospect stepping into pattern company. Big chance.

Form: 812-1

(6)

Portland¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

14/1

Didn't need to be at his best to get off the mark for the season in 5-runner listed race at Leopardstown (12f, good) a fortnight ago, just holding on from a less-experienced runner-up. Is Aidan O'Brien's sole representative but others look stronger for win purposes.

Form: 343-241

(4)

Sons And Lovers²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 103

18/1

Debut 7f winner at Newmarket in 2023 and back with a much-improved third of 7 to Haatem in Craven Stakes there in April. Progressed again when third in listed race at Sandown (8f, soft) 4 weeks ago but will need to find another jolt of improvement to add to his tally stepping up to 1¼m.

Form: 1-33

(11)

Stromberg²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102

20/1

Landed prohibitive odds when scoring twice last year and has found one too good for the step up in trip on both outings this season, beaten 3¾ lengths by Chief Little Rock in Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh (10f, soft) last month. A career best will be required if he's to get involved.

Form: 2115-22

(5)

Taraj³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: D K Weld| OR: 103

20/1

Off the mark at the third attempt despite still a bit rough around the edges in a Dundalk maiden in November and ran well upped in grade on return when third of 5 in Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, good to firm) last month. Interesting runner (changed hands for £480,000 on Monday).

Form: 421-3

(8)

Under The Sun^t⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: H Palmer| OR: 101

40/1

Easy winner of 1m Salisbury novice final start at 2 yrs and seemed to excel himself when 4½ lengths fifth of 8 to Arabian Crown in Classic Trial at Sandown (10f, good to soft) just under 8 weeks ago, probably seen to maximum advantage. Big outsider in this, however.

Form: 2261-45

Forecasts

King's Gambit (2/1), Jayarebe (7/1), First Look (17/2), Bracken's Laugh (17/2), Bellum Justum (10/1), Al Musmak (10/1), Caviar Heights (10/1), Portland (14/1), Sons And Lovers (18/1), Taraj (20/1), Stromberg (20/1), Under The Sun (40/1)

KING'S GAMBIT made a mockery of an opening mark of 93 on return at Newbury last month and with further progress on the cards, Harry Charlton's charge is fancied to take the step up to pattern company in his stride at the expense of French-raider First Look, who found only an unbeaten colt too strong in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Bracken's Laugh and Taraj (who changed hands for £480,000 on Monday) can fight out third.